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Arc Ref 5se owners

I bot a used Ref 5se as my first encounter with tubes. It’s about 10 years old. The tube meter clocked in at about 3500 hours.

I’m getting a crash course and learning quickly what I don’t know about tubes. 

The heat from the power tube caused some warping in the poly cover.  After 10 mins or so of listening the area above the tube swelled 
 

I used an infrared gun to measure the temperature. The power tube was about 250f degrees and the smaller tubes measured less than 200. heat is a known problem but I’m not clear about whether excessive heat that deforms the cover is an issue. 
 

Anyone experienced this? Is this a big problem? 
 

Thanks in advance  

 

tee_dee
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,748 posts
 

Not much to add to excellent advice above from many owners n hardcore users.  I have a phono 2se, 5SE and REF80S.

im at 9K happy hours on the 5SE

keep a tube log as noted the 2 - 2.5 K hour change interval on the 6550. You also have a. 6H 30 in the power supply to look after along w the 4x in gain stages.

i have the heavy version plastic covers and they Slightly deform…

im a bit of a black sheep prefer to run USA production Tung Sol black plates in the power supply - Andy at Vintage tube is likely the last source you can trust w that significant sonic upgrade. Also get 3X HRS Nimbus couplers. If you get a metal top get a damper block.

finally have fun

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
6,044 posts
 

@yesiam_a_pirate 

I never knew about preamps, but having owned two English cars, I can attest to the oil leaks!

Thanks for the laugh!

Do you know why the British don't make stereo preamps?  They can't get them to leak oil.

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,748 posts
 

Oil can be added there is no known effective exorcism for the bad electrons in Lucas Prince of darkness components…. 

mroverkill
6 posts
 

It is common for the acrylic top covers to warp. asthetics/sonics over function. the 6550 is too close to the top cover. and YES ARC experimented with many types of top covers. some are better, but they all seem to warp with time.

cleeds
6,601 posts
 

 

mroverkill

It is common for the acrylic top covers to warp. asthetics/sonics over function. the 6550 is too close to the top cover. and YES ARC experimented with many types of top covers. some are better, but they all seem to warp with time.

My Ref5SE has been on my rack since June, 2015. The cover hasn't warped yet. My Ref2SE is almost as old and its cover is also like new. It's all about ventilation.

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